JANUARY 24 2021
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MINH DAM / LONG HAI

Hares: Anagram, Bull Ant, Mr. T Secs
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Secs, Mr. T
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Faulty Brakes

Run 969 the palindromic numbered Hash to the Eco Lodge in Long Hai began as usual at Tommy’s in Le Ngoc Hahn. Enthusiasts iced the beer and softies and stashed them aboard our bus for today’s journey to Minh Dam car park (incidentally named after 2 Freedom Fighters Minh and Dam). Rolling out of Vung Tau and stopping momentarily to pick up some hashers at Seaview we brought today’s complement of Hashers to 55.

Today’s trail of 6.5 km took us across the mountain top taking in various temples and breathtaking scenery of the Long Hai coastline.The trail was marked to perfection with numerous ribbons and extra markings when changes of direction were required and proved a winner to all who negotiated this tricky terrain. The weather was ideal for Hashing and a cool breeze preventing any overheating for enthusiastic hashers. Eventually when we came off the mountain, it was time to come down steps to the lower level, making our way through the labyrinth of houses, with dogs barking and pigs grunting, we weaved our way to the Grassy slope in the Eco Lodge to complete another stunning trail.

This was the perfect opportunity to relax and replenish any fluids lost on today’s trek, another first for VTH3 today the meat pasty introduced by Docker to replace the usual Banh mi, washed down with cold beer as we sat around on the grassy slope in this idyllic of surrounds and approval ratings were high for our now legendary gourmet fest. 

Anthony also referred to as Chom Chom took control of the brief circle and welcomed newcomers (virgins), Chom Chom is the C.E.O ( Chief Executive Officer) of Chom boxes in Vung Tau and on a Monday night in The office Bar you can hear is dulcet tones as Quizmaster. He is also the undisputed king of online shopping, is there no end to this man's talent?

Today we celebrated the birthdays of Chippy and Jolly while details were scarce on the numbers we concluded it 21 plus tax and slices of birthday cake were distributed among hashers to complete the complement of meat pasties, fruit and drinks for today’s Down Down. We thank everyone who contributed to today’s enjoyment, the Hares who were given a perfect 10 out 10, catering Corp and everyone who helped to make the day so enjoyable.

The light began to fade in the Eco Lodge and it was soon time to board the bus and return but not before the catering trolly was deposited on board the bus, no pit stops just good music and quaffing of Saigon Green soon we were hurtling through Long Hai and over the long bridge and finally we reached Vung Tau. 

The usual exercise of removing and storing the eskies took place, it was now time for the19th Hole with more music and fine dining. With everything stored and put to sleep we will repeat it all again next week. 

On On.

RUN 969 GALLERY

JANUARY 17 2021
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LONG SON ISLAND

Hares: Bull Ant, Chippy, Chom Chom, Secs
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Secs
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Faulty Brakes

This week’s run was literally a “ home run” with a pleasant 30 minutes drive to Long Son Island. This island is connected to the mainland by the Go Gang bridges and is synonymous with organic mountain chicken despite the efforts of Colonel Sanders and Nandos to globalize chicken. The much sought after delicacy is still appreciated by locals and foreigners alike. Long Son Island in the long history of VTH3 has thrown up some unusual situations like the attack of the killer bees and another scenario when trail setters were nearly stuck on the mountain overnight. 

Thankfully this week’s contribution to the phenomenon was not so dramatic, this is where youngsters had removed tapes and replaced them in a different position not dissimilar to childhood days when knocking on doors and fleeing was part of daily fun. The cool weather was ideal for Hashing and this week’s trail was set by Secs, Chom Chom, Bullant (and  please don’t enquire about the genesis of that name) along with the ubiquitous picture taking Chippy.

This week’s Down Down was opened by Docker who generously contributed a birthday cake in honour of his family who recently celebrated the occasion in Australia. Then Ringmaster Chom Chom took the reins. 

The highlight of the Down Down was the initiating of Ben and Kevin and not to be confused with Ben And Jerry the American Ice Cream Giant. Ben was attributed the handle “Mr Vui “ (happy in Vietnamese) while Kevin had the misfortune to receive “Alice“ for his suffering with the inevitable WTFIA as a consequence from now on.

53 people enjoyed the gourmet fest in Long Son, roast chicken, chilled beers, soft drinks and birthday cake. Sure where would get it? But there was yet one more trick left up our sleeve. Enter “Balloon Man” this now ever present performer when we visit Long Son, himself and his assistant conjuring all shapes of characters with balloons and selling them, much to the delight of our junior hashers. 

Bullant who had set the trail on Friday was deemed a sinner after following the tampered tapes, Virgins were introduced and welcomed and as we try to vary trails from easy to difficult today’s was considered easy. There will be an innovative trail trail shortly, this will be a first for VTH3, Watch This Space?.

The time moved on quickly as everyone sat around the restaurant eating chatting and sipping beers, the younger amongst them managed to find a ball and continued to entertain themselves and onlookers. It was time to depart, loading the eskies and the preparation for the Business class journey returning to Vung Tau with the inflight drinks service. 

Everyone enjoyed another Sunday in Vung Tau Hash’s long history and soon we were rolling into Tommy’s at Le Ngoc Hanh with the usual scurry for the restrooms. Eskies were removed and stored, further libations were consumed long into the Sunday night and with the live entertainment at Tommy’s. Perfect  Jive Duo the Philippine band, Fresh Pizza, cold beer and good company sure it was better than enjoying yourself .

Sunday, Sunny Sunday, let’s repeat it all again next week. On On.

RUN 968 GALLERY

JANUARY 10 2021
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SMALL MOUNTAIN

Hares: Anagram, Bull Ant, Chippy
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Secs
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Bull Ant

Another Sunday and another great Hash run. This week it was run number 967 where Hares Chippy, Anagram and Bull Ant, at the request of some of our local members, had set a trail around Small Mountain. So, while Zidane and Bull Ant handled the cash, others loaded the truck with the usual supplies of beer, water, soft drink, fruit and banh mi, and then it was time for the 50 odd Hashers to jump on scooters and push bikes and head to Valley Beach, our starting point for this week.

Once everyone was gathered at Valley Beach, Bull Ant gave some vague instructions and it was on on. From Valley Beach, we headed along the road towards the iconic Jesus statue and proceeded up the steps. After a short climb it was time to turn right and head across the quarry. The next kilometre would showcase why this area was requested for this week's trail. With wild flowers everywhere in bloom, selfies were the order of the day. This was an opportunity to witness Vung Tau's own Cherry Blossom season. From here we headed up the mountain and across the steps leading to Jesus and continued on around Small Mountain. Whilst the trail was fairly well marked with red ribbons, there was a minor oversight. At a fork in the path, some old ribbons were left intact branching off in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, some of the front runners followed the old ribbons but in the end were to benefit by walking an extra two kilometres. Once everyone was back on track, it was time to make our way down. With steps leading down through a very nice and newish temple complex, opportunities for more selfies were presented. Back on Ha Long, we would then make our way along the beach to our down down at Valley Beach.

As most Hashers made it back safely it was party time! Music playing, beer flowing, and an abundance of fruit and banh mi, the down down was in full swing. With Chom Chom as MC and photographer, the mandatory photo was taken and the circle formed. The Hares trail was rated, virgins welcomed, and sinners punished. All too quickly the time had come to pack up and head back to Tommy's for some, or to head home for others.

With the excuse of having to unload eskies back at Tommy's, the usual down down down was on for the die hards. Once again spoilt with live music by the Perfect Jive Duo, Randy's tasty pizza's and ice-cold beer, it was the perfect end to another great day.

Thank you one and all for the great time had!

RUN 967 GALLERY

JANUARY 3 2021
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MINH DAM MOUNTAIN 

Hares: Anagram, Bull Ant, Chippy, Mr.T, Secs
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Mr. T, Chippy
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Secs

Sunday 1pm at Tommy’s Restaurant and Bar and this week’s Hash begins with a merry band of volunteers eagerly assembling enough supplies to sink a proverbial battleship. Meanwhile Zidane and Bull Ant check in our many registered Hashers.

Preparations complete and with the Hashmobile packed to capacity we are soon on our way along the picturesque coastal road towards Long Hai and ultimately our destination of Minh Dam Mountain.

We arrived at the starting point where Hare - Secs - explained that this was a simple but challenging trail. We’re to follow the dirt road for about 1km until we see red ribbons indicating to turn left. There we are going to enter the forest and follow a well defined trail until it takes us under the jungle canopy. This is where we’re going to begin a climb up the many steps that would take us to a magnificent view from a hermit’s house, perched two thirds of the way up the mountain. From there we are to walk around the house and continue up the remaining steps to the lookout point at the top. Then we’re to descend to the carpark by following the steps that go down the other side of the mountain.

On-on we go, our many Hash House Horrors running excitedly ahead. We reach the red ribbons and turn into the forest. After a pleasant stroll in the countryside, we begin the grueling, rocky steps up to the summit. We find that the trail is well maintained and many of us are so pleased to discover that some kind soul has built a rope handrail, allowing us to pull our way up the steep incline. We reach the hermit’s house where we are greeted with a spiritual view of the landscape. It’s a welcome respite and we stop to catch our breath while gazing in awe at the beautiful landscape. Breath caught, we push ourselves up the remaining steps to the summit. 

A vast, cerulean sky greets us at the top, and we are afforded beautiful sunshine, a cool, fresh breeze and an awesome view atop the magnificent boulders reaching in to sky. Perfect for cooling down after a hard climb. 

And selfies…………so many selfies!

Selfie time over, we follow the easy trail down to the carpark and the down-down begins!

Fending off a troop of marauding monkeys we satiate ourselves with ice cold beverages, fruit and a new addition to our usual culinary repertoire - Vietnamese Sausage Rolls!

 In addition to the usual delights this week we have a special occasion - one of our dedicated junior Hashers, Lucy, is celebrating her 13th Birthday.  A sumptuous cake, delicious smoked beef jerky and a very expensive, very smooth and very much appreciated bottle of whisky were provided courtesy of Lucy and her mum Helen. Thanks and Happy Birthday! 

With the celebrations in full flow we take a break to take the team photo and Ringmaster Chom Chom calls to order the circle. 

This week our Hares are Anagram, Bull Ant, Chippy, Secs and Mr.T. The trail is rated with many bids ranging from 9 to 46 out of 10 but the general consensus was an excellent trail.

A grand total of eight Virgins this week mostly hailing from Vung Tau, with a couple from HCMC and UK are baptised in to the Hash. Welcome!

Three Returnees this week Chris and his two sons had been working in HCMC. Welcome back!

In the Sinners circle this week we have Mr. T who’d had an unfortunate accident ripping his shorts, Velko for having shorts that apparently looked they were trimmed with a tablecloth and finally Anagram who had committed the heinous crime of wearing white socks with sandals - in his defence he pleaded that he was born very close to the German border.

With the circle complete, eskies empty and trash collected the Hashmobile is once again boarded and in inimitable VTH3 fashion our Hash House Performers sing and dance all the way back to Tommy’s.
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Another great day out with VTH3 - see you next week!

RUN 966 GALLERY